India Marks 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Honouring 527 Soldiers of the 1999 War

India on Sunday observed the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas, paying tribute to the 527 soldiers who laid down their lives during the 1999 Kargil War, with the principal ceremony held at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh.

Via: @rajnathsingh on X

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the commemorations at Dras, laying a wreath at the memorial and flagging off the culmination of the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a 1,900-kilometre motorcycle journey from New Delhi to Dras undertaken as part of this year's observance. Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and senior military officers were also present at the memorial. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes separately, with Modi saying the occasion "serves as a reminder of the unparalleled courage and valour of those brave soldiers who dedicated their lives to protecting the nation's pride."

Rajnath Singh, addressing the gathering at Dras, warned Pakistan against future misadventures, saying that "even as the enemy's intentions remain unchanged and it continues to employ nefarious tactics such as proxy wars and infiltration, the Indian Defence Forces stand fully prepared to face any challenge." He described India's victory in 1999 as both a military and diplomatic success.

The Kargil War began in May 1999 when Pakistani soldiers and armed infiltrators crossed the Line of Control and occupied strategic positions in the Kargil, Dras, and Batalik sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to sever National Highway 1A — the vital artery connecting Srinagar to Leh. India launched Operation Vijay to reclaim the positions. Fierce battles were fought at Tiger Hill, Tololing, and Point 4875 under extreme high-altitude conditions. India declared victory on July 26, 1999. Since 2000, the date has been observed annually as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Across the country, wreath-laying ceremonies were held at war memorials, military stations, schools, and public institutions. Indian embassies worldwide also participated in commemorative events. A Tiger Hill Expedition 2026, aimed at promoting military tourism in Ladakh, was among the additional activities organised this year.